[Bombphoon]

Hi folks. I'm writing a memorial piece for Remembrance Day about the crew of 12 Squadron Lancaster JB609 which was shot down on 19/20th February 1944 on the way back from Leipzig, by III./NJG1 ace Oblt Hans-Heinz Augenstein. Sadly all seven of the crew were killed when the a/c crashed at Elspeet, Holland. I understand, up till then, on this night, Bomber Command suffered its worse amount of losses with 79 a/c lost. My questions are quite simple:

What industry was Leipzig famous for/such an important target?

I understand Oblt Hans-Heinz Augenstein himself was killed by an RAF Mossie nightfighter on 6/7th December 1944 - anybody know which a/c or unit shot him down?

Lastly, I'm trying to find a decent book on the Nachtjager units. I've seen Boiten's new Schiffer book: Battles with the Nachtjagd' - is it worth the £50 or can you recommend any other books i.e. is there a unit history of NJG1 or No. 12 Squadron?


Thanks in advance for your help

Austin